BANGKOK, 26 November, 2016 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is staging a series of concerts in memory of the late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The performances will celebrate the late monarch’s love of music and talents as a performer and composer. The “Jazz in Memory” shows will include performances by famous artists and a symphony orchestra.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said: “His Majesty’s love of music was well known and one of the best things to do in memory of the late monarch is to allow people to enjoy performances of the late king’s music in places which were close to the late His Majesty's heart. We are proud of our musical monarch and these concerts are a way of showing the world that Thailand is celebrating the reign of the Great King and his achievements and inviting international visitors to enjoy the late king's musical legacy.”
TAT is staging the Jazz in Memory concerts on 26-27 November, 2016, with free admission.
Jazz in the World Heritage will follow at Wat Phra Ram in Ayutthaya province and the jazz musicians will be accompanied by an orchestra. Famous performing artists will include Nantida Kaewbuasai and Jennifer Kim, among others.
Jazz on the Beach is being held by the sea at Laem Tan in Saen Suk district of Chon Buri province. The concert will be honored by the presence of Pathorn Srikaranonda, a musician of the Friday Amphornsathan Band, with which the late His Majesty used to play. Dr Pathorn will perform the musical compositions of the late King and recollect his personal memories of performing with the late monarch.
There will also be exhibitions where visitors can find information about the “70 Routes in the late His Majesty’s Footsteps” project, which promotes the regions visited by the late monarch. TAT is encouraging the people to follow in the late His Majesty’s footsteps and appreciate the late His Majesty’s many achievements. Visitors can try a tasty Thai cuisine and learn about the Royal Projects, agricultural stations and initiatives put in place by the late His Majesty.
In addition, from 29 November to 11 December, there will be a series of performances at EmQuartier called “The Royal Musical Legacy” from 10.30 a.m. to 08.00 p.m. The admission is free.
The late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had a passion for jazz and played and composed music. Among the 50 compositions which the late His Majesty wrote is a ballet and songs for a 1950’s Broadway musical. The late His Majesty did not only play saxophone, but also trumpet, clarinet and piano, and on a visit to New York in 1960 played a jam session with jazz legend Benny Goodman.
These jazz concerts are just one of the many cultural experiences which visitors can enjoy in the next few months. All of Thailand’s national museums and historical parks are opening to visitors with free admission until the end of January 2017.